It is understood there had been an altercation between staff and a party of customers over an unpaid bill. Mr Asif then fell ill and later died.

He is thought to have suffered a heart attack. An exact cause of death will be announced later following a post-mortem.

Akbar's headquarters in Bradford confirmed on Saturday evening that the Mr Asif, the manager of the restaurant was the man who had tragically died.

City centre councillor Joan Davies, who lives next door to the restaurant on Liverpool Road, saw Mr Asif earlier on Friday evening. She paid tribute to him on Saturday.

Coun Davies said: "I spoke to him on many occasions as a neighbour, customer and councillor. He was always very gentlemanly. I was in the restaurant with friends and their little girl and he gave her a Christmas cracker.

Akbar's restaurant in Manchester. The scene was taped off on Saturday afternoon

"He was his normal, very busy self.

"I think he he had been there [at Akbar's Manchester] from the start and he ran a very successful restaurant which attracts all different kinds of people."

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault following the incident and remained in custody for questioning on Saturday. Police are investigating.

Police scenes of crime officers were still at the restaurant on Saturday afternoon, and the area was cordoned off.